Hazardous Substances
Ipecac (Syrup of Ipecac) Abuse
Street names: ipecac, syrup of ipecac, emetine
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Induces vomiting within 20-30 minutes
- Sometimes abused repeatedly by people with eating disorders
⚠Key risks
- Chronic abuse poisons the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) — this killed singer Karen Carpenter
- The active alkaloid emetine accumulates in muscle
- Irreversible heart damage
- Electrolyte collapse from repeated vomiting
- Fatal at surprisingly low cumulative doses
✚Overdose signs
- Irregular heartbeat
- Muscle weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Collapse
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipecac (Syrup of Ipecac) Abuse | Discontinued OTC | Chronic abuse poisons the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) — this killed singer Karen Carpenter; The active alkaloid emetine accumulates in muscle | No longer legitimately sold in the US/EU |
| Potassium Cyanide (KCN) | Not a drug — regulated toxic chemical | Lethal dose ~200–300 mg — death within minutes to an hour; No antidote available outside hospital; hydrogen cyanide gas from acid contact | N/A — sometimes sold fraudulently as 'peaceful exit' scams |
| Air Duster (Computer Duster / Canned Air) | Household product — not a drug; no age restriction on purchase | SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH — the most deadly inhalant: difluoroethane sensitizes the heart to adrenaline; a sudden fright, chase, or exertion triggers fatal cardiac arrest. First-time users die; Frostbite to lungs and airway from direct spray | $3–$8 per can at any electronics/office store |
| Gasoline / Petrol Huffing | Not a drug — fuel product | Extremely toxic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene); Sudden sniffing death — cardiac arrest | Effectively free — siphoned fuel |
| Glue / Solvent Sniffing | Not drugs — adhesives and solvents | The CLASSIC youth inhalant — peak use age 14–15; Sudden sniffing death from cardiac arrest | $1–$5 per tube/can — pocket money prices |
| Refrigerant / Freon Huffing | Not a drug — HVAC refrigerant | EXTREMELY dangerous — refrigerant gases (difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane) cause sudden cardiac death at high rates; Frostbite to airways | Stolen/siphoned — no price, high death cost |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Ipecac (Syrup of Ipecac) Abuse look like?
Syrup once kept in first-aid kits to induce vomiting after poisonings; no longer recommended or sold in most countries.
What are the signs of a Ipecac (Syrup of Ipecac) Abuse overdose?
Irregular heartbeat; Muscle weakness; Shortness of breath Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Chronic abuse poisons the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) — this killed singer Karen Carpenter Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.